The boy and the pear tree

The boy and the pear tree

　There is a big pear tree. A boy likes to play with it. He loves the tree and the tree loves him.

　A few years later, the boy grows up. He comes back to the tree.

　“I’m really glad to see you again. Come and play with me,” says the tree happily.

　“I’m big now. I don’t play around trees. I want toys, but I don’t have money to buy them.” The boy is sad.

　“Take all my pears and sell them,” says the tree.

　The boy picks¹ all the pears and walks away.

　Many years later, the boy turns into a man. He comes back to the tree again. He wants to have a house. The tree gives its branches² and trunk to the man.

　Finally, the man returns after many years and he is very old now.

　“Sorry, I don’t have anything for you now,” says the tree.

　“I don’t need much, just a place to rest,” says the old man.

　“Come and sit with me,” says the tree.

The old man sits down next to the tree. The tree smiles with tears.

Notes:

1. pick v. 摘 2. branch n. 树枝